#to my irls wondering why I make everything ten times darker: 🐦‍⬛❔️We Just Don't Know

[lady-quen]

Was rambling underneath @thornethenorn 's post and it finally kicked me into gear to design Mael's unique Death Shroud, so thank you dearly for that 🫡

Anyway. I keep saying PoF is where my Comm got a bit canon-divergent, and this is why. I wasn't a fan of how "easy" the ordeal of death and clawing oneself back to life felt in the actual campaign, so I've essentially made his Shroud reflect that, forever. Detail talk below cut!

The open mouth that manifests specifically in Shroud form is actually the same mortal wound Balthazar inflicted on Maelmordha, splitting his entire chest open with his greatsword. The scar runs down from the top of the sternum to the abdomen and serves as a constant reminder of the dire encounter - as well as a conduit for dark powers. Death itself is a necromancer's greatest source of strength, after all - even and especially his own.

The ghastly fangs are a remnant of the Eater of Souls whose life force substitutes the Commander's own - he is using a demon's vital energy to stay alive, so he wraps himself in magical chains in case he were to ever lose control over the magic. He has also gained the ability to manifest weapons from that same creature's essence and likewise uses chains to bind them.

Staying in Shroud for prolonged periods of time tends to be painful due to the enchanted hooks holding his chest open, even if the portal seals itself immediately when the magic is dismissed. However, with harbinger powers, pain itself is also used as a source of energy.

Due to the controversial nature of Commander Maelmordha's magic, only his closest companions in the Pact (and whoever in the future manages to snoop enough - *cough* probably wizards) know its source and nature. Being feared too much isn't great for diplomacy, innit.